Releases

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League on Friday announced that the Detroit Red Wings have acquired right wing Francis Lemieux from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for right wing Brett Engelhardt.

Lemieux, 23, has logged 33 games with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs during the current campaign, earning six assists and 27 penalty minutes. A third-year pro, Lemieux has tallied 63 points (24-39—63) in 144 career contests with the Bulldogs and was a member of their 2007 Calder Cup championship squad. The Sherbrooke, Quebec, native scored a career-high 18 goals and tied for fifth on Hamilton with 40 points (18-22—40) during his rookie season in 2005-06.

Engelhardt, 27, appeared in 42 games with the Griffins this season, totaling 16 points (8-8—16). He spent three years in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization before signing with Detroit as a free agent last August.

Lemieux is expected to join the Griffins sometime this weekend as the team plays three road games in three nights, with Friday and Saturday matches in Cleveland against the Lake Erie Monsters before a Sunday contest against the Rochester Americans.